The NBA G League is investigating after Jeremy Lin, one of the best-known Asian American basketball players, said he was called a “coronavirus” on the court.
Lin opened his mouth about the racist act in a social media post on Thursday, just days after giving a frank interview to the NBC Sports Bay Area “Race In America” program to discuss a recent spike in motivated attacks racialism against Asian Americans across the country.
“Being a 9-year-old NBA veteran does not protect me from being called a ‘coronavirus’ on the court,” wrote Lin on Facebook, without going into specific details about when or where it happened. However, many Asian Americans say they have faced similar situations since last year, when former President Donald Trump began to describe the coronavirus as the “China virus”.
The NBA G League investigation was first reported by The Athletic on Friday. A league spokesman later confirmed to the New York Times that an investigation had been opened.
“Being an Asian-American doesn’t mean that we don’t experience poverty and racism,” said the Taiwanese-American player, who is part of the Golden State Warriors’ G League affiliate, Santa Cruz Warriors.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed his support.
“I just saw the post,” Kerr told reporters. “Really powerful. I applaud Jeremy for his words and agree with his feelings about racism against the Asian American community. “
Lin, who last year pledged up to $ 1 million for coronavirus relief efforts, said Asian Americans “are tired of hearing that we should keep our heads down and not create problems.”
“We are tired of seeing Asian American children growing up and being asked where they REALLY come from, of having our eyes ridiculed … We are tired of being invisible … or who say that our struggles are not so real,” he said. Lin in his post on social media.
Lin started his NBA career with the Warriors in 2010 before moving to the Knicks, where he started what became known as “Linsanity” in the 2011-12 season.
He also played with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks. In 2019, Lin became the first Asian American to win an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors.
Reuters contributed.